Container for valuables with alarm system



June 25, 1957 F. c. vw. s'rEL'rER 2,797,405

CONTAINER FOR VALUABLES WITH ALARM SYSTEM Filed NOV. 24. 1953 Y 2Sheets-Sheet 1 if? l Z [g/WMM ATTQRNEYS 5 June 25, 1957 F. c. w. STELTER2,797,405

CONTAJINER FOR VALUABLES WITH ALARM SYSTEM 7 Filed Nov. 24, 1953 'asheets-sheet a ,j 2,797,405 Patented June 25" 1957 CONTAINER FORVALUABLES WITH ALARM SYSTEM Francis C. W. Stelter, New Yorlr, N. Y.

Application November 24, 1953, Serial No. 394,162

6 Claims. (Cl. 340-280) This invention relates to containers forvaluables provided with an alarm which is sounded. in the event that thecontainer is tampered with by an unauthorized person or persons. Morespecifically the invention relates to such containers having one or moremembers which are movably associated with the remainder of thecontainer, and in which a switch button and its actuating means are bothmovably associated with the container.

It has been suggested to provide a two-part jewel box structurecomprising a relatively large base member upon which a standard jewelbox might be snugly fitted. The inclusion of such a base greatlyenhances the appearance of the jewel box structure, and at the same timethe base tends to x the jewel box more firmly on the table or dresserupon which it is kept. By eliminating the possibility of jewel boxslippage upon any surface on which it rests, the possibility that thejewel box will be dropped or damaged, thereby springing open its lid andscattering or damaging its contents, is greatly eliminated.

In the event that such a jewel box structure is tampered with by anunauthorized person, three possibilities are open to him. He mightspring the jewel box lid open and remove the box contents, or he mightremove the box from its base for removal of the box contents at somelater time, or he might carry away both box and base. sound upon thehappening of any one of these three contingencies has been solved bythis invention.

Similarly, in the case of a conventional one-part jewel box the contentsmay be stolen either by opening the box without altering its position orby removing the box in its entirety.

Likewise, a movable safe may be opened and its drawers or other movablemembers removed without altering its position, or the safe may be movedas a unit for more convenient access.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a containerhaving one or more movable members and being movable as a unit, in whichalarm means will be energized upon movement of one of the movablemembers or upon removal lof' the container as a unit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a jewel box structurecomprising a base and jewel box in which alarm means will be energizedin the event the lid is raised, or the jewel box is removed from thebase, or in the event that both jewel box and base are removed from thesurface upon which they rest.

A further object of this invention is to provide a conventional one-partjewel box in which alarm means will be energized in the event the box isopened, or if the box is removed from its resting place.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a movable safe inwhich alarm means will be energized in the event the safe is moved as aunit, or if the safe is opened in position and its drawers or othermovable contents are removed.

I accomplished these objects in the case of the twopart jewel box byprovidingan aperture in "the base of The problem of providing an alarmwhich will the jewel box structure into which a switch device is looselyfitted. This switch device comprises two opposed contact members inspaced insulated relation and a depressible conducting means normallymaking electrical contact between the contact members when theconducting means is not depressed. Between this depressible conductingmeans and the jewel box lid I slidably fit a pin which holds theconducting means depressed when the lid is in a closed position and whenthe jewel box is snugly fitted on the base. In this manner, if the lidis raised the pin will no longer be held confined and the conductingmeans will be allowed to make contact between the contact members. Iplace these contact members in an electrical alarm circuit so that thealarm will be sounded when contact is made between the two contactmembers. lf the jewel box is removed from the jewel box base, the pin isof course removed with the box and accordingly the conducting means isreleased and Contact again is made between the two contact members.Because the switch device is loosely fitted in the base member, it willdrop from the base member if the jewel box and base are removed from thestructure upon which they rest. In such an event, the conducting meansis no longer held depressed by the pin and contact is again made betweenthe two contact members.

I accomplish these objects in a similar manner in the case of theconventional one-part jewel box and the movable safe. In the one-partjewel box the switch de` vice is loosely fitted directly in the bottomof the box instead of .in a separate base. The pin may be free as in thecase of the two-part box or may be attached to the ydepressibleconducting means. The actuation of the switch is occasioned by raisingthe lid or by lifting the entire box, as in the case of the two-partbox.

In the case of the movable safe the pin is attached to the depressibleconducting means and the switch device and pin are supported as a unitby journalling the pin slidably in the rear wall of the safe. The safedrawer or other movable member is positioned against one end of theswitch device and the other end of the pin contacts the wall of the roomin which the safe is located. Thus, movement of the safe or its movablemember will allow movement of the pin and conducting means to makecontact between the switch device contact members.

Other and further objects, features, and advantages will be apparentfrom the description which follows read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective view of atwo-part jewel box structure including jewel box yanti base.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along line 2-2 of Figurel and also showing diagrammatically the alarm circuit for the jewel boxstructure.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross section taken along Iline 2 2 of Figurel with the jewel box lid in raised position.

Figurev 4 is akfragmentary cross section similar to Figure Y3 but takenthrough a vertical wall of a one-part jewel box.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross section showing the invention as appliedto a safe.

in orderfto facilitate an understanding of the invention,

reference is made to the embodiments thereof shown inthe accompanyingdrawings and detailed descriptive language is employed. It willnevertheless be understood that no limitation of the invention isthereby intended and that various changes and alterations arecontemplated such .as would ordinarily occur to one skilled in the artto which the invention relates.

In Figure 1 a two-part container unit for valuables is shown including abase member A upon which a conventional jewel box B may be snuglyfitted. A moulding member 10 is fixed upon base A to define a spacewithin which the jewel box proper may be placed. The jewel box B is anintegral structure comprising a hinged lid 11, vertical side walls 12,and a bottom member 13, shown in Figure 2. Any conventional lock, as atD, may be employed to secure the jewel box lid. Y y

A resilient sheet 14 of felt, cork, rubber or the like, may be cementedto base A.

In Figure 2 is shown a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the two-partstructure of Figure l. A switch device is shown generally at C. Thisdevice comprises two opposed Contact members 15 and 16 which aremaintained in spaced insulated relation by insulator 17. Insulator 17 isprovided with a centrally disposed aperture 18 within which ispositioned a coi-l spring 19 bearing` a flanged contact maker 20. Aresilient sheet 14a'may be cemented to contact 16 if desired. Anaperture 27 is provided in base member A for the reception of switchdevice C. i

Within any one of the jewel box side walls 12 and the jewel box base 13is formed a vertically disposed bore for the reception of operating pin21 slidably therein. This bore is enlarged adjacent lid 11 for receptionof the head 21a of pin 21. In this manner, the pin 21 is biased againstdownward movement. Preferably the bore is formed within the side wall towhich the lid is hinged, eliminating the possibility of its discovery,but it may be formed in any one of the side walls.

A jewel box alarm circuit is diagrammatically shown in Figure 2. Thiscircuit includes conductors 22 and 23 connected to contacts 15 and 16respectively. The switch is placed in series with a conventional alarmcircuit including a battery 24 and alarm device 25 which is shown as abell, but may be any suitable device such as a light. If desired, astationary switch 26 may be provided at some convenient location todeenergize the circuit at all times. The alarm circuit shown in Figure 2is positioned at some point remote from the jewel box structure;however, this circuit might be housed within a false bottom within thejewel box B by running conductors 22 and 23 through base member Al andjewel box bottom 13 to the false bottom, suicient slack being left inconductors 22 and 23 to permit movement of device C relative to base A.

In considering operation of the alarm mechanism let it rst be assumedthat an unauthorized person springs lock D of the jewel box and raiseslid 11 to remove the jewel box contents. As lid 11 is raised, pin 21 isno longer held against upward movement by the lid.

Therefore, pin 21 will move upward under influence of spring 19 to theposition shown in Figure 3 and contact will be made between contacts 15and 16 through spring 19 and contact maker 20. Assuming manual switch 26to be closed, the alarm circuit will then be activated and current willow from battery 24 through conductor 23 to contact 16. From contact 16current will flow through spring 19 and contact maker 20 to-contact 15,and thence through conductor 22 and switch 26 to alarm device 25.

Assuming that an unauthorized person does not attempt to open lid 11 butmerely removes jewel box B from base A for opening of the jewel box atsome later time, pin 21 will then be removed with jewel box B. If pin 21is so removed, coil spring 19 will expand to again make electricalcontact between contacts 15 and 16. In this manner, current will againow through alarm 25.

On the other hand, if an unauthorized person were to remove both jewelbox B and base A from the surface upon which they rest, switch device Cwill not move with the base A and pin 21 will again be lifted offcontact maker 20. Accordingly, spring 19 will expand to close a circuitbetween contacts 15 and 16 thereby energizing alarm 25. If the alarmcircuit is enclosed withn jewel box B, it is important that conductors22 and 23 be provided with sucient slack to allow this rela- 4 tivemovement between switch device C and base member A.

As pointed out above, the-provision of manual switch 26 is optional. Theswitch ymight be mounted at some concealed location external of thejewel box structure if the alarm circuit is also external of thestructure. If the alarm circuit is included within a false bottom injewel box B, the switch operator might be located at some position onthe box side and its identity as a switch operator might be concealed inany number of ways.

Figure 4 illustrates the invention as applied to a onepart containerunit for valuables comprising jewel box B' having a hinged lid 11', avertical wall 12', and a bottom member 13', which bottom member servesas the base of the box. The switch device shown in Figure 4 is similarto that shown in Figure 2, and is designated C'. Switch device C'comprises opposed contact members 1S' and 16' whichare attached ktoopposite 4ends of a cylindrical insulator 17. A coil spring 19' isprositioned in cylindrical insulator 17' and bears at its lower end oncontact member 16'. A contact maker 20' is secured on operating pin 21slightly above the bottom of said pin. The portion of pin 21' belowcontact maker 20 is received within spring 19.

Thus it will be seen that pin 21 is attached to switch device C and maybe moved as a unit with the switch device for convenient mounting in thejewel box. Within any one of the side walls 12' of jewel box B' isformed a vertically disposed bore for the reception of operating pin 21slidably therein. The bottom member 13' of jewel box B' is bored toreceive switch device C loosely therein. The switch device C' and pin 21are positioned in jewel box B' by inserting the pin and switch device inthe aligned bores in the wall 12' and bottom member 13', respectively. Ahead 21a' is then securely attached to the end of pin 21' in anyconventional manner. In this way, switch device C' and pin 21 are lockedin the jewel box B' and may be transported as a unit therewith.

Switch device C' is intended to be connected to an alarm circuit such asis shown in Figure 2, conductors 22' and 23' being provided for thispurpose. The alarm circuit consisting of battery 24, alarm device 25 andswitch 26 may, of course, be located in a false bottom in jewel box B',or may be located at some point distant from the box, as mentioned inconnection with Figure 2.

The operation of the alarm system in Figure 4 is as follows: If lid 11'is raised, pin 21' will be free to move under the inluence of spring 19until contact maker 20' bears against contact member 15', thuscompleting thev circuit and energizing the alarm. Similarly, if jewelbox B' is removed from its supporting surface, switch device C' will befree to move downwardly under the influence of spring 19. The switchdevice is thus moved relative to pin 21' until contact member 15 bearsagainst contact maker 20', completing the circuit and energizing thealarm.

Figure 5 shows the alarm system applied to a container unit forvaluables comprising a safe indicated generally at 30. The safe ismounted on wheels such as the one indicated at 31, which wheels rest onthe floor 32 of a room having a wall 33. Safe 30 is shown as having adouble-wall construction indicated generally at 34 consisting of innerwall 35 separated by ller material 36 from outer wall 37. However, thealarm system could be applied in the same manner to a safe having asingle-wall construction. Safe 30 has a drawer 40 which may be pulledout after the safe door (not shown) has been opened. As shown in Figure5, a hole 41 is drilled in the wall 34 of the safe behind box 40 toslidingly accommodate pin 21 which carries switch device C'. Pin 21 andswitch device C' are constructed asshown in cross section in Figure 4.If desired, the hole 41 may beV lined with a bearing sleeve 42. Theswitch device and pin are positioned in thepsaferby inserting pin 271'from the inside of the safe out through hole 41 and then securelyattaching the head 21a' to the pin 21'.

An alarm system comprising switch 44, bell 45 and battery 46 is carriedin a box 48 attached to the bottom of the safe. Switch 44 has anactuating member (not shown) which extends through the box 48 forconvenient operation by authorized personnel who know its location. Inthis modification, as in those shown in Figures 2 and 4, lthe alarmsystem could be in a false bottom in the safe or located at some pointdistant from the safe, and the alarm could be some conventional signalother than a bell. The switch device C is connected to the alarm systemby conductors 22 and 23.

The system shown in Figure 5 may be initially positioned for properoperation in the Vfollowing manner: With switch 44 in closed positionenergizing the alarm, and drawer 40 moved to the left in Figure 5forcing switch device C into contact with inner wall 35, safe 30 isrolled across the floor 32 until head 21a contacts wall 33, moving pin21 into switch device C until the alarm signal is turned olf by theseparation of contact maker 20 and contact member With the various partspositioned as described above, the operation of the alarm system shownin Figure 5 is as follows, reference being made to Figure 4 for theinterior construction of switch device C. If the safe is moved away fromwall 33, pin 21' will move relative both to wall 34 of the safe and toswitch device C under the inuence of spring 19 until Contact maker 20'touches contact member 15, thus completing the circuit and energizingthe alarm 4S. If, instead of moving the safe, an unauthorized personopens the safe and pulls drawer 40 to the right as shown in Figure 5,switch device C will be moved relative to wall 34 and pin 21 under theinfluence of spring 19 until contact member 15 bears against contactmaker 20', thus completing the circuit and energizing the alarm.

Drawer 40 may, of course, be replaced by any movable member of value,such as a vase, which will contact switch device C. The spring 19 in theswitch device is only strong enough to move pin 21 and the switch deviceitself. Consequently, the spring is not strong enough to move theobject, for example, drawer 40, and thereby create a false alarm.

The alarm systems as illustrated and described above are by way ofexample only, and any changes which might occur to one skilled in theart are contemplated by the present invention, within the scope of thefollowing claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. In a movable container unit for valuables having enclosure surfacesrigidly positioned relative to each other and a member movable relativeto said enclosure surfaces, an alarm system associated with saidcontainer unit and comprising a switch device having contact membersseparated by an insulator, contact means movably positioned between saidcontact members and normally tending to establish electrical contactbetween said contact members, and operating means associated with saidcontact means, one of said enclosure surfaces having a boretherethrough, said switch device being freely supported for movementrelative to said one enclosure surface, said operating means beingslidingly positioned in said bore, said switch device and said operatingmeans forming an operative unit having one of its ends positioned forcontact by said movable member and the other of its ends being free toextend outside said container unit.

2. A switching device for use with an enclosed container having abottom, a plurality of vertical sidewalls, and a hinged lid to activatean alarm in response to unauthorized tampering with the container,comprising a pin extending through a bore in one of said sidewalls andhaving a head contacting an inner surface of said lid which limits theaxial sliding movement of the pin in a first direction with respect tosaid bore and a shaft portion projecting from the bottom of saidcontainer with the head so limited, a base member separable from saidcontainer having an upper surface upon which said container bottom isadapted to rest and a lower surface formed with a recess, an electricalswitch separable from said base member positioned within said recess andincluding means for normally biasing the switch into an operatecondition, said operate biasing means being opposed by said pin tomaintain the switch in the nonoperate condition when said container ispositioned on said base by a force applied to the switch by the shaftportion of said pin which projects into said recess through acommunicating passage in said base.

3. A switching device for use with an enclosed container having abottom, a plurality of vertical sidewalls, and a hinged lid to render analarm in response to unauthorized tampering with the container,comprising a pin extending through a bore in one of said sidewalls andhaving a first terminal portion contacting an inner surface of said lidwhich limits the axial sliding movement of the pin in a first directionwith respect to said bore and a second terminal portion projecting fromthe bottom of said container with the iirst portion so limited, a basemember separable from said container having an upper surface upon whichsaid container bottom is adapted to rest and a lower surface formed witha recess, an electrical switch separable from said base memberpositioned within said recess and including means for normally biasingthe switch into an operate condition, said operate biasing means beingopposed by said pin to maintain the switch in the non-operate conditionwhen said container is positioned on said base by a force applied to theswitch by the second portion of said pin which projects into said recessthrough a communicating passage in said base.

4. A switching device for use with an enclosed container having abottom, a plurality of sidewalls, and a movable member for access to thecontainer to render an alarm in respoonse to unauthorized tampering withthe container, comprising an element extending through said containerand having a first portion contacting an inner surface of said movablemember which limits the movement of the element in a first direction anda second portion projecting from the bottom of said container with thefirst portion so limited, a base member separable from said containerhaving an upper surface upon which said container bottom is adapted torest and a lower surface formed with a recess, an electrical switchseparable from said base member positioned within said recess andincluding means for normally biasing the switch into an operatecondition, said operate biasing means being opposed by said element tomaintain the switch in the non-operate condition when said container ispositioned on said base by a force applied to the switch by the secondportion of said element which projects into` portion projecting from thewall of said container removed from said movable member with the elementlimited in movement by the movable member, a switch separable from saidcontainer and including means for normally biasing the switch into anoperate condition, said operate biasing means being opposed by saidelement to maintain the switch in the non-operate condition when thecontainer is positioned relative said switch so that said secondprojecting portion contacts said switch and with the movable member inposition to close the container.

- 6. A switching device for use in activating an alarm in response tothe unauthorized tampering of an enclosed container having a pluralityof walls and a movable cover member providing access to the interior ofsaid container, comprising an element slidable within and relative saidcontainer and having a terminal portion contacting an inside surface ofsaid movable cover member which limits the movement of the element in afirst direction and a second portion projecting from the bottom of saidcontainer with the element limited in movement by the movable covermember, a switch separable from said container and including means fornormally biasing the switch into an operate condition, said operatebiasing means being opposed by said element to maintain the switch inthe non-operate condition when the container is positioned relative saidswitch so that said second projecting portion contacts said switch andwith the movable member in position to close the container.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS SturtsMar. 13, 1894 Murphy Oct. 29, 1895 Sparr Sept. 6, 1904 Rebischung Dec.13, 1904 Jacobsen Oct. 26, 1909 Hamburger Aug. 23, 1910 Wiggers Nov. 11,1913 Woitas July 31, 1917 Gorman Oct. 30, 1923 Gumbs Oct. 6, 1925 AdlerApr. 28, 1936 Stelter Mar. 16, 1948 Merchang Apr. 13, 19.54

FOREIGN PATENTS France July 21, 1924

